Nov 28-2011

FAMILY,

   What a move I made! It feels a little weird to leave the Alps and be somewhere without mountains again ha ha!!! I love Bergerac though, it's like I'm almost back home again(because I started my mission in Brive !) This week went by too fast. I realized I'm not used to bikes either....I'm very sore! I guess I'll have a good break from bikes though, because someone slashed our tires this week :(

     I feel like it was a bit shaky this week, being district leader for the first time, and getting used to a new city again... I feel a bit like a new missionary. I was an expert at Gap, but now I'm blue again ha ha! I am grateful to have such a great companion though! Elder Willet knows Bergerac like the back of his hand.... I'm a bit lost sometimes ha ha. He is a great missionary too, I was so impressed when we got back into our area, he contacted everyone! I really like that!!! 
  
    This week we taught an investigator named Mme. Foucaud, who is very close to accepting a baptismal date. She is almost there! We gave her the program to quit smoking, but she said she needs time to think about it.
  
    We saw a young boy named Guillame Bouchet as well. His parents and younger brother are members, but he is dragging his hills a bit. Baptism isn't his priority. There is some work to be done here!!!!

    We almost had three other people engaged with a date for baptism, but they couldn't commit. There is so much potential here in Bergerac! We even have a cool American family that is living here! She is super ready for the Gospel, and she even went all out to decorate her house for Christmas! SPEAKING OF WHICH, dad have you decorated the yard yet? Don't you dare think you can get this one under my nose!
  
    I'm doing well, a little overwhelmed at times with all my new responsibilities, but it's normal I assume. I love my district, I was able to have Thanksgiving dinner with them :) We all went to Perigueux and ate at a fancy restaurant famous for their chicken!  Our district is interesting though.... they are a bit crazy...ha ha; What I mean by that is that everyone of their personalities are very colorful. Full of energy and enthusiasm. They started singing the National anthem of USA in the restaurant.... gratefully there wasn't a whole lot of people there, but I was a bit embarrassed. I knew that we should have behaved better, we are disciples of Christ for crying' out loud! I take responsibility, and have already asked the Lord for forgiveness. I can't let something like that happen again, our image is so important! We must be examples everywhere we are, and at all times! Thanksgiving was fun, but also a lesson learned.
   
    Did I ever tell you that I fasted last thanksgiving? It was sure an experience, but the best thanksgiving I ever had! I'll have to write you about it another time :)

     I'm very happy to have such great missionaries in Brive! Elder Caldwell and Elder Prunin are impeccable! Work is moving right on along over there!!!! 
Elder Tudor my, Zone Leader, did an exchange with me this week, he is a great Elder. I actually replaced him as district leader here in Bergerac. He trained me on being a district leader and did very well! It is all a bit overwhelming, but I will get a hang of it one day!
  
    So I have a few requests! I need Lindsey's new address! I have a postcard for you Lindsey loo!!! Also could you look up a French lds artist named Jeremie Baldi. He has some really good music that we can listen too. However it is in French so... yeah ha ha. He sings hymns and what not in French..... I think that is all :) I sent you some packages, you should get them in 3-4 weeks. :) I love you all so much, I can't wait to see you again! 8 Months!!!!


  GROS BISOUS!!!

Nov 22,2011

Ma Famille!

Wow, this last week was INTENSE!!! We worked hard, and the fruits of our labors are too good ha ha! I'll tell you a little about our week and our "fruits" ;)

Johnny is doing better, he is progressing slowly, but surely. However,  he won't be ready for baptism until he can quit smoking. We realize he has been through a lot in his life, he needs some healing. He told us his life has gotten better since we met him :) Oh the blessings of the Gospel! :)

We managed to see Daba again this last Sunday. We taught her with our Branch President, and it was a great lesson on prayer. She  says she doesn't manage to pray in our way, so I asked her how she prays.. She says she uses the Koran..... Wah???? That's right, she told us she is Muslim at the base, but believes in Christ. Wow, didn't see that one coming, should have asked a long time ago! Inspired question I guess! At the end of our lesson, we each said a little prayer to show her examples of prayer, and she finally said a prayer for herself the right way!!! What a blessing, the Lord knows all things, and there is so much more hope for Daba... I was lacking last week in the department.... what can I say, I'm not perfect ha ha.

Mr. Lissy is coming to church still, and has been accepting more and more doctrinal truths....however he struggles with is Catholic tradition. We were very bold with him Saturday night, and he took it well. He felt the spirit, and I know he knows the truth! He just needs to find courage to latch onto the truth and not look back! He said he would pray to know; he finally committed to do it!

Now for the great news! The Rubinos are making HUGE progress, and Mme. Rubino accepted a date for Baptism on the 18 December! We helped them understand how the spirit speaks to each of us to testify of spiritual truths. Once they identified how the spirit had already manifested himself in their lives, they couldn't deny that God had answered their prayers! Mme. Rubino grinned from ear to ear when we invited them to baptism! There was no hiding her desire! Mr. Rubino on the other hand needs a little bit more time. He says he isn't ready, and it is apparent because there is a concern that he has in which we haven't addressed yet. 

That isn't all however! Sunday, Jérôme Corneloup pulled me off to the side and told me that he is going to receive the Priesthood! He prayed Saturday, like he told us he was going to do, and he received the confirmation that he needed to receive it! I literally cried because I was so happy, my prayers have been answered! I told the Lord in prayer three weeks ago that I was going to do everything in my power to help Jérôme Corneloup get the Aaronic Priesthood, and now it has been realized! I have so much joy because of Jérôme; I truly love this man, and he will ever have a great place in my heart! We will be brothers long after I have taken off the name tag ;)

I thank the Lord for the opportunity that I had to serve in Gap. I felt like Gap was a refiners fire; I learned so much about myself in teaching our investigators, but enduring the difficult times... most of the time the elements of missionary work that we cannot control. I learned a lot about how I can overcome my own fears by helping Jérôme overcome his. It is countless the times that I taught him, and gave him advice, that applied to me as well. The Lord knows what I need as his servant, and I have seen how he teaches us in our weaknesses, and can do it in means that I never thought possible.... D&C 50 explains that we must have the spirit always, and when we teach...

"22 Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together."

Truly the Lords builds us as saints of the church as we build his Kingdom on Earth. I know that I was supposed to be in Gap for 6 months... at first it wasn't apparent, and I wanted to do anything to get out, but now I feel like I could have stayed for the rest of my mission. The Lord knew only I could do a certain work in Gap, and now I know with assuredly that I fulfilled His will. I have never felt this way about my other cities.... I have received the confirmation from the Lord that I did what He sent me to do. I couldn't and wouldn't ask from anything else from the Lord than that sweet confirmation.

I'm so excited to work in Bergerac, and I think Elder Willet is already a great Elder. He comes from Mesa Arizona. 

Yes I'm in my old district again :) I was in Brive last year around this time. I don't know if you know this ( because you seem to know a ton already) but I will be, or am now district leader :) Woop Woop! I'm excited because I may be able to do an exchange and see my converts in Brive :) Well I gotta go! I love you all, and I pray for you every day! Don't work too hard ha ha!!! Already you work too hard ;)
Yours Son, Uncle, Brother, Grandson, nephew, cousin, and Friend!

Nov 14 - 2011

This last week was VERY busy! We had a 2 day exchange with Elder Nicholes and Elder Bonnett which was fun! Elder Bonnett is a new Elder, Elder Nicholes is training him. I don't want to say anything negative, but what I will say is that Elder Bonnett is 22 years old, and a handful! He has a lot of potential, but just doesn't use it towards his advantage...It will come I guess, Oh Elder Nicholes, you will be in my prayers!

I love Elder Nicholes, he is my hero... 'enough said!

We had our interviews on Thursday, they went well! They were really quick, but it was good to see president! We probably will be receiving a call from him this Friday for the Transfer, but you never know! At first, I thought it would be like a prison sentence to stay here for 6 months, but now I feel like I could stay for another transfer here! It has happened, a missionary stayed for 9 months in Gap. I would be content with a transfer too, but just saying :)

Our baptisms fell through for this week. Johnny just needs a little bit more time, but he is progressing. Mr. Lissy is progressing well. We are starting to tear down his wall of Catholic Tradition... or in other words, the wicked traditions of his fathers! We take down a brick every time we see him now ha ha! Of course we are putting back up good bricks though :) The Rubinos are doing well too! Work is moving right on a long in Gap!

I'm doing great, couldn't be happier, and that is the truth!

Well I gotta go, I love you all, and can't wait to see you all again! Not too long now ;)

Love,

Elder Dusty Petersen

Nov 7 - 2011

Family,

It was a great week that has come and gone! I have felt the blessings pour out upon me, and I had a lot more strength this week; physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I had a lot more fun this week too! Thank you for all your prayers, and thank you dad for thinking about me at the temple  That's right I have these cool emotions things too ha ha. If you could, this next week, could you put my branch president's name in the temple, his name is Stephean Ruffier-Meray. He has been branch president for 10 years, and he does a lot for the branch... he is very tired.

Like I told you, this week was so much better than last week! We had so much success, and things feel like they are moving again! We seen Johnny every day, and Daba a few; but we also invited Mr. Lissy to Baptism! He accepted, but we need to help him gain a solid testimony. He feels like the Catholic church and ours aren't very different... He is still very catholic, but a lot more receptive! The spirit is definitely working on him! Speaking of the spirit working on people! We also seen the Family Rubino again.

I have been praying for a very long time that the Family Rubino come around. We all have, and we have been searching and racking our brains on how to help them receive a testimony of the Restored Gospel. At Distric meeting on Thursday, we had a few minutes to talk about some of our investigators that are struggling. I have been here for almost 6 months, so I have presented the Rubinos several times... but I'd thought we'd give it another shot. Somebody reminded us of what Elder Caussé said in our Zone training, where we invite our investigator work with us for 3 weeks straight to help them to receive the answer from God that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet. If at the end of the three weeks they don't receive the answer, oh well... they lost three weeks time. But if they receive it, and I know they will, it will change everything!

We started our Fast Saturday afternoon, and had the Rubinos scheduled for the evening. We prayed for the Lord's help; that their hearts would be softened, and that they would receive the Gospel. As we approached their gate, I stopped, and offered another prayer with my companion that the spirit would be present and help the Rubino's accept our invitation. When the time came to start our appointment, I asked Mr. Rubino to choose someone to pray. He replied that he would like to offer it; that is a first! 

What a humble man; his prayer was done in such humility and sincerity. He expressed immediately how he wanted to understand the Book of Mormon and why his son joined the Church. I have never heard a prayer like it, and it caused me to weep; my heart rejoicing because of the miracle that was taking place. I felt like Aaron when he was teaching Lamoni's father. He finished his prayer, and we asked them both if it was their sincere desire to understand that what we are teaching them is true. They answered affirmatively. Because of the love they have for their son, they are intrigued and what to know. Their son is very firm in his testimony, and is as they say, he doesn't move from what he believes in.

They accepted without hesitation our invitation. Mr. Rubino even began to discuss with his wife about how it would be possible to see us three times a week. He works a lot, and it will be very difficult; however he didn't look for excuses not to see us.. rather he was trying to solve the problem for how he could see us! He told us that he would have to make a schedule of his availability and get back to us. They accepted to follow the calendar we gave them as well, which has scriptures they can read each day. We discussed with them a few of their concerns, and after we ended with prayer on our knees. I walked out of that rendezvous thinking nothing but one word.  Miracle 

I have no doubt that the Lord prepared their hearts, and softened them sufficiently to receive our message. The Lord hears the prayers of his servants, I know that is true, I cannot deny it! I know why I'm out here, to bring souls to repentance and the knowledge of the only true God. I have no other purpose to live for! Last week, Satan tried to derail me, but I'm still on the tracks, charging forward with extra steam! I studied Lehi's dream again this week; I learned we must never let go of the Iron rod. However, even just keeping hold of it isn't enough. We must clench to the Iron Rod, which is the word of God. We cannot not expect to make it through this life to Eternal life if we do not study and apply the scriptures we have been given. When I was struggling, I realized because I clench to the Iron Rod, no matter the temptation, I can come off conquer. Every time I have had a trial of faith on my mission, I have always come off conquer. There are blessings in obedience; Clench to the Iron Rod!

Once again thank you for your prayers, and I thank my Heavenly Father who hears each and everyone of our prayers and brings us comfort and strength in our moments of difficulties!

There are actually only two weeks left in the transfer, and I probably won't be here next transfer. The transfer ends on the 20th. I'm sad that Bishop Toone will be moving, I haven't' written him very many letters... I love him and his family very much, and I will have to visit them when I get home. Also send my love to Sister Shirley and Johnny's mom. I have not much else to say. I love you all and I can't express what you all mean to me!   

Chou, Chou, GROS BISOUS!

Oct 31 - 2011

Its HALLOWEEN IN FRANCE!!! I did get your package and I'm binging out at this very moment. We are sending emails from the church now, because there are two computers :) Thank you so much for thinking about me, I LOVE OREOS!! ha ha. It is cold here, but actually warmer than usual today. It was daylight savings yesterday, we slept in an extra hour! And it was completely legal ha ha.

We are still teaching Daba and Johnny, in fact we will be seeing Johnny this afternoon! We taught him the Word of Wisdom yesterday( 2nd time around) and he accepted to work with us to quit! His girlfriend is going to help him too! She actually wants us to help her son stop too... GOLD MINE! Please keep Johnny in your prayers, he will need as many blessings as he can get. I gave him a blessing yesterday as well. I love using my priesthood, and I'm so happy that I am worthy :) I have always been a little bit unconfident in myself, but I have complete confidence in using my priesthood now ;)

I am happy to hear that you are doing so well!!!!! I love you so much, I'm so happy that blessings are just being poured out onto us all!!! I'm so proud of you all, and I can't wait to do a temple session together! You two make me so proud! I think of you all the time! 

I have to go for now, but I will try to write you more next time!

I got a kick out of Dash's costume too! I love it!!!!! I can't wait till next week, but for now I got to work! CHAIO!!! GROS BISOUS!

Elder Dusty Petersen

Oct 24th 2011

Momma and Pappa,
Oh momma et Pappa,

It was great to hear the nitty gritty this week ;)  

The Lord blessed me double time too, because I was able to buy a bigger umbrella with 10 euros of my mission money I had in my wallet. Normally, that is not approved. However, with the circumstance, I was able to reimburse myself with something I really needed. :) I just want you to know mom and dad, that I realize how much you work and I have no intention to just throw money around on my mission. I'm thrifty, and I work hard to create the habit of living by necessity and not by impulse. I, in no way, want to create a financial problem for you. My heart wrenches when I think of all the sacrifices you have made for me... I love you so much, thank you for your great examples.

I also would like to tell you that your names will be submitted in the Bern Switzerland Temple ;) Our branch President, President Stephean Ruffier Meray, is going to the temple with his wife this week, so I had the bright idea of sending him with a list of your names. I included both grandparents, and the girls too! I love you all so much, it is a way I can send you my love.

This week was great! I was sick with a fever for a bit, but I got over it! I stayed in Monday and just slept and took meds. Tuesday I was good to go! It is very cold her now, the mornings are the worst! During the day, not too bad, the Sun is out normally. Today it is raining though. We had a great week of finding and teaching! We taught an old investigator named Daba. She is from Senegal, and is in middle of a divorce. I actually taught her about 5 months ago. We taught with a member from Cote D'Ivoir (Ivory Coast) and they kicked it off. We invited her to baptism for the 20th November and she accepted! She came to church with her 5 year old daughter on Sunday as well, so it is legit. We will be seeing her again today, as well as many times in the weeks leading up to the day. I pray we can be instruments it he Lord's hands to help her be baptized that day! We have asked the ward to pray for her, so I would like to ask you to keep her in your daily prayers. With all our prayers of faith we will see a baptism!

We have been having a lot of luck with tracting too. We have knocked on several good doors ha ha. Taught an older women this week too. She let us right in, don't worry her husband was there. She is 72 years old, and is handicapped due to a malpractice. Her husband has Alzheimer's disease as well. Keep them in your prayers please. We also are teaching a man named Johnny. He is really humble, and very kind. He has a lot of faith, and knows we are disciples of Christ. Keep him in your prayers too.

We have been teaching a lot this last week, and I was happy. Teaching is such a blessing! I am amazed each time we teach with how the spirit uses me as a instrument. There is always something I say that I learn for the first time! The spirit teaches me as he is teaching our investigators, I love it!

Huge news too, we made contact with Cécile! We made cookies and decided to give it a shoot in visiting her. She was there! However, she was in the middle of moving. She moved to Strasbourg on Thursday. She was happy when we seen her; she had a smile from ear to ear. She told us she just had some problems she had to deal with elsewhere: Paris, Strasbourg, the south. She just got back this last week in time to move all her stuff out. She has family in Strasbourg she needs to be with she told us. I asked her if she still wanted to practice the Gospel and she said these reassuring words, "In every way" We are going to do the work necessary to transfer her records to Strasbourg. It is such a huge blessing and testimony to me that God wanted me to stay in Gap for several reasons. Not only is there work for me to do, but i needed that reassurance that Cécile was okay. I actually thought that it was our fault as missionaries that she disappeared. I needed closure, and now I have it. I am at peace, and my faith has grown ten fold. The Lord works in such mysterious ways sometimes, but I know he always has my well being in mind. He knows me perfectly, he knows what I need.

Friday, we also had a Zone Conference in Aix, and it was there we got to hear from Elder Caussé from the 1st Quorum of the Seventy. It was amazing! I learned so much, and I am re-amped to work with everything I have! I have been studying patience, hope, and faith a lot this week. I have felt very discouraged at times, and I realize that I need to persevere and leave all the discouragement behind. I have been attacking it with my studies, and the principle that we must never look back! Luke 9:61-62, look it up, it's great for any discouragement any of us have!

I love you all, I can't wait to hear from you all again! Oh and if you get a chance, look at the Mormon ad on the home page of the church site. CLAY IS IN IT!!!!! CRAZY!!!! 

Oct 17th 2011

It is so good to hear from you, but I wish that you would say more! Tell me details about things, I wanna know the nitty gritty about home life!!! I'm glad the Temple was the highlight of your week, should be like that ;) I'm sure your words were that of Angels momma, you are very close to the Spirit. 

I'm okay, I have been sick the last couple of days, some kind of stomach virus, nothing to worry about though. I have just been very dizzy and light headed with a stomach ache. I might not go out to work tonight and just get some rest. That is what Sr. Murdock told me to do. Doh, I never get sick! Why now? ha ha. My companion, Elder Williams, is a great guy. He made cookies today while I took a nap. We are going to take them to some of our investigators.

I gave a talk in Church yesterday, I love to give talk:) I always feel as though the spirit is just speaking through me. We did service for Mr. Lissy Saturday, and I invited him to come listen to me speak. He came :) He is becoming a little bit more open, and less  defensive about being catholic. We are his friends ha ha, he tells us all the time he will take us to the lake, or give us his skis to go skiing ha ha... He is funny. He is still healing up from his skiing accident though. Last year he broke his hip, and ever since he has been recovering.... funny how the Lord puts people in our path. We may have never met him if he hadn't have had his accident! I still remember the day that we were with Cécile and she pretty much contacted him... Oh Cécile, where have you gone! Still no sign of her, but we are going to drop off cookies to her mail box; its the best we can do.

I have a funny story about Mr. Lissy. Saturday , we went back to his apartment to say goodbye, and he couldn't get into his apartment. He had broke the lock a couple of weeks earlier, and he tried to rig it, but it failed... He looks to me and says "Casse la porte" meaning "Break the door". I looked at him sideways and said, "Really"? He was serious, and I gave it a few good shoulder slams and broke his door frame ha ha. He says he is going to call the insurance soon, they will take care of it!

I have included a few photos from the week! We went and picked up our new mattresses, and we had to sit in the back of our Branch President's van ha ha. We also had Family home evening at Sr. Rambaud's house! She made Croque Monsieurs, almost like grilled cheese sandwiches but with ham. We did rather a lot of service this week too. We helped Jean-pierre clean his garage ( reminded me of our downstairs basement outside.... UNORGANIZED! I hope that has changed though ha ha ;) We also went to Sisteron Saturday to offer people our services. We just went in normal clothes and knocked on doors, then asking if they need any service done! We got two bites! I remember when me and Elder Wilcox were dying for service, now we have butt loads of service to do! We ate at a members home Saturday too, then live just outside of Sisteron. They fed us SO MUCH! Lots of veggies, and fish! I have never loved veggies more in my life than on my mission!

We found two new investigators this week too! One was a referral that we received a couple of weeks ago. He is super cool! He actually requested to see us, and have a Book of Mormon by internet. He is really sincere, and felt the spirit testify during our lesson. He received the Restoration very well, and wants to see us again! He is married with a baby boy :) FAMILY!!!! Cha CHING! His name is Mr. Xavier. We also contacted this bum looking guy on a bus stop bench, and he ended up being really cool. He had the book of Mormon in the past, but lost it. He told us where he lived, and it was actually where we were headed to visit some pass backs. So we told him we would stop off at his apartment while we were there! He received the Restoration really well too, but was a bit distracted during our lesson. He had a coffee/ smoke buzz. Mince!

O
This week we are going to have a zone conference, and Elder Caussé from the Quorum of the Seventy will be there! It's going to be great, I'm excited! I heard that Elder Park is training too! COOL BEANS! Give me a shout out to Lisa and Van Park for me! I think about Them and Morgan all the time, especially where he is IN MY MISSION! I hope to see him one day ha ha. Elder Williamson was in his district last transfer, and did an exchange with him. That's the closest I have been ha ha. 

Oh and I almost forgot, it has officially been a year since I have been in France! I arrived on October 14th, entered Brive on the 15th, and started my first day of work the 16th. CRAZY!!!

Oct 11,2011

Mom, Dad, and  Family,

So, I’m still here! Elder Workman was transferred to Toulouse, and I am now with an Elder Williamson. It was hard to say goodbye to Elder Workman, but it is the Lord’s will, and we are all on the Lord’s errand. His companion is French, and is a great missionary. He is extremely blessed. I love Elder Williamson too, he is funny, and he actually speaks French. He is on his 5^th transfer. He is from South Carolina, and his dad is works for the FBI! Cool n’est-ce pas?

Well, I guess I’ll tell you a bit about our week! This week was CRAZY ! We were all over the place! Elder Workman decided to make trips to some cities outside Gap, and we did a lot of travelling.

Monday we had some fun with taking photos. I always wanted a picture with this sweet apple display thing in the middle of a round –about so I got it ha ha. We also visited the Catholic cathedral, it was cool. I always feel really eerie inside though….. We had a crazy experience with our investigator Michel too. He read the whole weekend, and prayed, and received an answer. However, he doesn’t really recognize it was an answer, he just said he felt bizarre. He didn’t say it was bad, but he felt vulnerable and weak… he doesn’t like to feel that way, very headstrong. Well duh, when we pray, it’s because we are weak and need help! He is giving us a break for a while, but I am hopeful that he will progress J As he walked away from us after we talked, he turned back around and asked us “Why!?! Why do I feel so good after talking with you, every time!” I just said, “ Ponder well about that” He smiled, and walked off.

We also met with the Family Rubino, we had a great lesson directed by the spirit! I love our lessons with them, they are so intense!

Tuesday, we travelled to a city called Briançon about an hour by bus away from Gap. We got a referral in the mail, and needed to contact him ASAP. Unfortunately he wasn’t there, but we did a little door to door, and headed back to Gap. It was a beautiful trip, and I love the mountains! We finally saw this lake everyone is telling us about, it is BEAUTIFUL! When you come, we need to make a little tour in the Alps ha ha!! You would love it!

Wednesday, we travelled to Sisteron again for our lesson with Michel Mutôt ( miracle Michel) We had a good appointment with him and did a good door to door. Then right on back to Gap in the afternoon.

Thursday, we travelled to Aix for District meeting! It was great, I included a photo of my district! After the meeting I did an exchange with Elder Meservy in Avignon while Elder Nicholes, our district leader went to Gap with Elder Workman. Avignon is a nice city, but there aren’t any mountains, I don’t like that. I would have to say that is my favorite part of Gap haha. We had a great exchange, and re-exchanged Friday afternoon. Do you see why I said we did a ton of travelling?!

Friday we got the unexpected call from President Murdock, and that is when I found out I’m staying in Gap J From now on we will get the call on Friday and transfer on Monday. (Like before with President Carter)

Saturday we did service again for the Martin Family! I didn’t really drive the tractor, I just got the photo ha ha. It was fun, we stacked wood again, while Mr. Martin split logs. When we got back, Elder Workman started packing!

Sunday was a great day! The best! We had 4 investigators at church! The Rubinos, who actually participated in a fast with us ;) Mr Lissy, and Michel (on account that Elder Workman is leaving, he considers us his Mormon friends and he is proud of it) The talks were great too! Jean-Pierre, one of our members, gave a talk about trials and overcoming them. He didn’t learn how to walk and talk until he was 17 years old because of his handicaps…. Today you wouldn’t even guess it. He is in a wheelchair, but can get up occasionally and stand. He has a young boy, but is in the middle of a divorce. Things are hard for him, but his attitude is great and his testimony strong! He inspired us all!

We took the sacrament to Robert Chahinian, and then also dropped off some milk at Mr. Sebbars place. He left his milk in the elevator at his apartment on accident and it walked off… He wasn’t very happy, in fact he called us Sunday morning and told us not to call him back because every time we call he has problems… so we thought we would do the Christ like thing and give a couple cartons. We dropped them off anonymously, but he knew it was us. Later he apologized because he snapped. He was very stressed out, with his family situation and all. It gave me warm fuzzies to serve him -- ha ha

And later we came back to the apartment so that Elder Workman could finish up packing! We had one last weekly planning, and it was hard. I hate saying goodbye to companions, you get so attached. We spent 3 months together!!!! Can you believe it? Monday morning, I got him on the train with all his bags, and he left me. I waited for a while by myself for my next bus,  then met my companion, Elder Williamson in Grenoble!

I have had a crazy week, and unfortunately I have to go!! 

I love you all, God be with you till we meet again!

Elder Dusty Petersen

Oct 2,2011

Bonjour Tout le Monde!

September ended, you can all wake up now ;) It is so weird that it is October already! On the 14th, I will hit my one year mark in France! Crazy! I

Dad I did receive both envelopes of photos! Thank you so much for thinking about me! It is nice to get photos in the mail, and I enjoy your little note :) Maybe you could make that little note a bit bigger though? ha ha You look great papa, you and momma look so good!!!! I haven't actually had the opportunity to watch the Priesthood session of conference yet, so I have know idea what you are talking about, but I love President Monson's personality too. The Saturday morning session made me laugh when he said, "Hello! Who should I call on to replace me?" ha ha

Speaking of Conference! Unfortunately, we didn't get to watch it in English like planned. We didn't run if from satellite at our church, we just hooked up the internet to a Giant TV that our Branch President bought. He is LOADED by the way. He bought a laptop and a brand new TV just for the General Conference (because we don't have the satellite hook up in Gap). Well to run two computers with internet didn't work to well, so we had to settle for the French version. It wasn't bad, I understood most of it, but Elder Workman wasn't too thrilled. Good thing it comes out in the Liahona ha ha.. P.S. in France the Ensign is called the Liahona. 

I loved all of the sessions I saw! I got to watched Saturday Morning through Sunday Morning. I followed President Utchdorf's counsel in the Liahona by preparing for the Conference. I asked some very specific questions, prayed fervently,  and was so thrilled to receive the answers! I have never really done that before.... It makes me wonder why I didn't ask questions before!!!! I have learned how much more I appreciate the counsel we receive at General Conference while being on my mission! I study the ensign from April all the time!

I had questions like: How can I become a better husband and father now? Sister Dalton answered that one ;)  How can I improve my Gospel Study? There were so many talks that answered this question! My favorite was probably Elder Richard G. Scott and his testimony about memorizing scriptures. SO TRUE!!! How can I best preach the Gospel? Elder L Tom Perry answered that one like a champ!!! And I also asked, What Christ like attributes do I want now, and in the future? I had listed Patience already because I have little ha ha, and Charity was added on after Elder Scott's talk. 

I also loved Elder Bednar's talk about "The spirit of Elijah". I have had a lot of questions about my Patriarchal Blessing, and I feel his talk was just for me!

Aside from the great General Conference, this last week was good! It wasn't a super good week for contacting, but our success isn't always measured by how many numbers we have ;) I'll start off with telling you that I bought some new shoes :) Mine were about dead. I put a lot of miles on those bad boys. I probably will throw them on every once and a while so that I can really consider them dead one day ha ha. My new pair are almost like the old, but a French brand. They are comfy, and that is the most important! I actually bought one pair, and they were TERRIBLE! I thought my feet were going to fall off after one day. Gratefully, the store let me exchange them :) The Lord takes care of His missionaries and their feet ha ha ;)

Oh yeah I didn't tell you, we were in the newspaper here in Gap too :) I'll send you a photo sometime!

Elder Workman had a really neat experience this last week. I'd say it was more of a MIRACLE! 

It all started on Saturday morning, on our way to Sisteron (a city that is an hour from Gap) to do work there. We are tired of working in Gap ha ha, spreading our wings a bit! Anyways, on the bus, we ended up sitting in front of a Jehovah's witness from Ireland. We had a great talk with him, and when we transferred onto the train, he invited us to sit by him again. He was really nice, and sincere. He asked a lot of deep doctrine questions though.... I hate that. I tried to just tell him what we teach people, but where it was in English, I got into some deep doctrine about the Millennium ha ha.

 I swear, all that the Jehovah's witnesses want to talk about is: the name of God (they think it is Jehovah), if the kingdom of God will be on earth, and what we think of the political crisis in these last days. In other words, they focus on all the things that aren't very important in other words. I'm a bit tired of talking with them, because they always read Revelations 22:18-19 and tell us the bible is all they need. It's ironic though, because they don't follow the counsel of John themselves. There are many scriptures that they have taken away from their version of the Bible. For example, they don't have Matt 17:21, or 18:11. They are just missing, (ex. 17: 19, 20, 22) Anyways, enough about my ranting ha ha. This guy, Jared, was really nice and receptive. We taught him that the Holy Ghost is indeed a personage of Spirit. He was touched.

But that wasn't the miracle! It happened after lunch in Sisteron. We had planned to go do some door to door outside the center villa, but I had a feeling we should do a little bit in center ville. We picked a small descending alley and took it. We found a door that was open and walked in. We tired the very top first, no one there. We tried the second door down, and a very drugged up man answered the door. The fumes were reeking from his apartment, and I asked him about it. It was then that he got a "deer in the headlights" look and started swaying back and forth in his door way. His legs were weak, and he didn't look good. I was scared. I felt something bad was happening. We urged him to go into his apartment to lie down and we would go get help, but he didn't respond. He turned around as if to follow our counsel, and then as I had pictured earlier in my head, he fell like a dead fish backwards into my arms! He lost all consciousness from what I could tell, and I just laid him on the floor.. I think he was having a seizure. I laid him down and looked into his eyes and saw just an empty void of darkness.... I thought he was dead. I am not very calm in these situations and was freaking out a bit. I told Elder Workman to go get help, but Elder Workman didn't know where to go, it was very dark in the stair well. It wasn't only a few more seconds and the man said "I'm fine' and slowly brought himself to stand, entered his apartment and locked the door... It was a very bizarre, and eerie experience. 

We thought we better find him some help still, so we knocked on the door on the floor below. What are the odds, the man is a Paramedic/ EMT guy. We checked on the man, but the man said it was rare, and he doesn't really know what happened. After checking on the man, he then invited us in to his apartment to drink some tea (don't worry it is approved tea) I was very very shaken by what happened and was reluctant to do so, but he insisted. It was then we become his friend, taught him the Restoration, and invited him to read the Book of Mormon. We will see him again on Wednesday.......The Lord works in mysterious ways eh???

Well I have no more time! I know this work is the Lord's, and  He will direct us to those who need the Gospel!!! I am a witness that it is true, I cannot deny it! I love you all and I can't wait to talk to you again!

Elder Petersen

P.S. not sure if the photos will work this time, sorry!

Sept 25-2011

This week went by super fast, just like every week. We had a lot of cool experiences, usually contacts we make in the street. I have been giving away a lot of Book of Mormons lately, people better read them ha ha. We were able to see Mr. Sebbar Monday, but he had too many things come up with this kids to be able to see him again this last week, we have a rendez-vous planned for tomorrow  and are going to call him to fix several others this week. He is just really stressed out lately, I know it will get better. We taught a man named Michel, I'm pretty sure I told you about him already. He is a 35 year old man, single with two boys. He loves his liberty, and is catholic at the base. However, the catholic church turns him off.... it's not like I haven't heard that one before! He says the priests aren't open to talk. He loves us, he tolds us he is proud to have two mormon friends ha ha. We have seen him three times now, every Wednesday. He wants to continue seeing us every Wednesday too, he loves the Book of Mormon and talking about it! He reads, and re-reads what we give him to understand better. He even told us, that his study of the Book of Mormon has helped him begin studying the bible the right way too. He is finding his faith again! It has been such a great experience teaching him. Elder Workman loves teaching him, he asked me the other day.. "Is it okay to have a favorite investigator?" ha ha. He is afraid of not loving all our investigators the same. It's good he has a favorite, it's always one of your first investigators that sets the tone for the rest of your mission. You want to help all your other investigators as much as you helped your favorite. That is just my point of view though. He told us he will come to general Conference this weekend too :) We taught Mr. Emmanuel Lissy this week too. Our recent convert, Jérôme was there so we taught the Word of Wisdom. Jérôme bore a strong testimony, and Mr. Lissy accepted the invitation to respect the W of W! He says he will do whatever he can to improve his health and relationship with God. He still says he is going to rest catholic, but the seed is growing ;) There was a funny moment in the lesson. Mr. Lissy told us that he thought coffee wasn't addictive.... I immediatley looked a Jérôme and he looked at me, and the expression on his face was priceless! He had the "Oh yes it is" look, and without hesitation picked up on the subject. Jérôme was drinking 3 liters of coffee each day... he thought he could quite at anytime and that it wasn't an addiction, but when he tried he slept all day for a week.... He found out he couldn't function without coffee. At first it was hard for him to quite, but now he has no problems with coffee, and he is never tired with the lack of coffee like before :) I promised him that with the companionship of the Holy Ghost, one day he would have no more problems.. oh how the Lord fulfills his servants promises! I have been thinking a lot lately about how I work, and teach the Gospel. Sometimes the people here don't listen, and it gets a bit frustrating. They put up a wall before we can even talk to them, and then when we try to share our message with them, they get mad because we "insist" too much. I can't blame them, with all the prosyliting that goes on from all the other churches, it can be probably annoying sometimes. For the most part, I don't get discouraged, but the other day I contacted a women and she frustrated me. She told me that the bible was all that she needed, and I guess that I just have been tired of hearing that phrase so I asked her if she really believed that the bible was perfect. She got all offended, and was like, " Are you really asking me if the word of God is perfect?" I tried to explain to her that men have changed a lot of things in the bible, just like Nephi said would happen in 1 Nephi 13. I realize now I insisted too much and the way I presented it was an attack to her faith.. the point I really wanted to make is that the Book of Mormon complements the bible, and brings us to a sure knowledge of docterine that isn't clear in the bible. Sometimes I feel like Alma," O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the ^atrump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people" I want for people to understand so badly because I know it is true! Situations like that one, are rare. I don't argue with people, I try to just leave them with my testimony and give them the choice. I know I can't attack their faith. I learn each and every day how to better show others that I respect their beliefs, and teach with love and Charity and the Spirit. I can't do anymore than accomplishing my missionary purpose.. Teach, testify, and invite. I know if I always have charity, I have accomplished my missionary purpose as well. Without Charity we are nothing. I did however, pray and fast to know what I should say and do to help others understand this principle in a better light... next morning I studied the bible and found scriptures that talk about double testimonies. ANSWER TO MY PRAYER!! St. John 8: 17-18, 31-32 is a great scripture to show that Jesus himself taught that we need two testimonies to know spiritual truths. In church we talked about how we need to B of M and Doctrine and Covenants, etc.. to completely understand Romans 8 as well. The Lord hears the cries of his servants and answers their prayers, I know that with all my heart! Ha, last night, we talked with a drunk couple. They asked us, "Do you want to get drunk with us tonight?", we resonded "nope" ha ha. Elder Workman got flipped off for the first time on Saturday too.... It was at point blank range too. We just laughed about it afterwards ha ha. It is sad, but to laugh it off seems to be a good remedy :) Hmmm... Well we are going to be getting new beds this week :) our mattresses are dead, I pretty much sleep in a whole ha ha. By the way my shoes are about dead too.... When it rains, my feet are soaked ha ha. The bottom is about to wear through.I think I'm going to look at some shoes today. The lest expsensive I have seen is about 69 Euros... I'll try my best to find the best quality that doesn't cost an arm and a leg ha ha. We will get to watch the general conference in english too :) COOL BEANS! Last monday I made cookies he he, I inluded a photo :) THey weren't too bad haha . I think that is such a blessing that you will be temple workers, I'm so proud of you!!!!! The Lord will make it possilbe that you have the strength to continue in all you have to do! I know you work work work!!!!I love you all!!! Ciao Ciao GROS BISOUS!!! Elder Dusty Petersen

Sept 19, 2011

Oh momma and Pappa! This week was a good week!!!! We were extremely blessed as well! It all started off with a great P-Day :) We ate at Mcdonalds, and I was able to buy a new razor blad/coil for my shaver. I also took advantage of a deal that was to die for. I have been looking for a better carry on bag that is cheep, and I found it! I felt like I was stealing it because it was only 30 euros! That is why I spent 60 euros, the razor/ carry on. I really hope I'm not making things hard for you financially... I always hesitate to buy anything because I don't want to stress you out... but I made a decision... I think it is a HUGE blessing that the temple called you to be ordinance workers!

Okay back to my week! We cleaned really really good Monday too, because President and Sister Murdock made a tour to all the apartments in our region to inspect/consecrate! Then we worked :) Tuesday was a super great day too! We engaged one of our investigators to baptism and he accepted! He is Muslim

and his name is Mr. Sebbar.

We set his date for the 23 October!!!!!! He literally asked us how he could be rid of his sins and be happy; we responded with the scriptures- Alma 7:11-16, and also in Alma 22:15 it was amazing!!! Wednesday we met with Michel and read Moroni 8. He loves the Book of Mormon, and told us he wants to meet with us every week! We also seen President and Sister Murdock! I love seeing them, it is a tender mercy! I feel they are my parents! You would love them so much. They loved our apartment (IT IS HUGE) and thought it was the best they have ever seen ;) They brought us some Book of Mormons from the bureau, and also a MINI DVD player! They are improving the training of missionaries in the mission field, and we can now watch training clips during our companionship studies! Every apartment will have one in the mission! It is great to use for listening to cd's too ha ha. Whoop Whoop! Today I think we will watch a church movie ha ha. We have the time! President bought us dinner too! We were crossing our fingers that he would ha ha! We told him there is a Dominos downstairs, and guess what he does. He pulls out his wallet and whips out a 100 euro bill and tells us to get WHATEVER we want, and whatever looks good! If I hadn't eaten pizza with him once already I would have thought it was a test, but he was completely serious. He is a great mission president. After they checked our apartment, he consecrated it to the Lord and His work. I have never heard a consecration prayer for an apartment to the Lord. It was amazing, I was very touched! He literally presented our apartment to the Lord and asked for Him to protect us, and guide us in the work. Definitely once in a lifetime experience! After all, it isn't every day that the Mission president comes to your apartment and consecrates it! I have been cooking a lot lately too, trying new things. We have been getting fresh vegetables from people we meet, so I use them :) The Martins gave us beans and tomatoes, and more jam ha ha. I love tomatoes!! I love zucchini too!!! The muslims got something right with the Ravioli too! ha ha. Then to end the week off with a bang, we went to Stake Conference in Marseille! We were able to hear President and Sr Murdock speak, but also a 70's!!! Elder Weidmann spoke to the stake. Of course it was in english, he had a translator! He had a great message about faith, and inviting. He engaged our stake to invite all our friends and family to come to church, and to learn about the Book of Mormon. It was great! He also gave a great definition of Faith. To have faith, is to have complete confidence that Jesus Christ can do all things, but sometimes will not. I believe that was a citation from Elder Bednar. It makes so much sense! I also read a scripture this morning that touched me! Mosiah 7:33. It illustrates this point as well I believe. He told us that the temple in Paris is a sure thing, and that it is one of the only temples to announced by the media before the Prophet ha ha. He will be announcing it in general conference!!! I'M SO THRILLED!!!! Oh what joy for the members of France! The process was very difficult to get the temple plans approved, and I will tell you in a letter how it played out! After, he held an hour meeting with the recent converts, and investigators too. Jérôme came with us and Sr tricoire, so we assisted with him to the meeting. It was such a great experience. He asked for testimonies simply! I remember him telling us that he did a mission tour as a general authority in the same mission that is son is currently serving, and was able to embrace him. He compared it to our Heavenly Father's love for us! Then at the end, he asked all the Elders(me, and about 5 others) to stand up and lead the group in the hymn, I am a Child of God. It was powerful, and an experience I will not forget. I wept afterwards because I felt my Heavenly Father's love so profoundly. We got a picture with Elder Weidmann :) I thought of you momma :)

The Lord knows what he is doing when he sends 19 year old men on missions ;) We become men! Well that's all I have :) The weather is turning south, it is looking more like fall/winter. It is freezing today, time to put back on the Long Sleeve.... wow time already! I love you all so much, and I pray for you all the time! Your son, and your missionary, Elder Dusty Petersen

September 12, 2011

Bonjour Mère et Père, I don't have a lot of time this week sorry, I replied to Mim Johnson and wrote her a nice email :) This week was really interesting! We did some sweet service for an older couple I may have mentioned a couple of months ago. We went into a neighboring valley and helped him arrange firewood! This man and his wife are craftsmen too!! They built their own cabin with their bear hands!! We taught a new investigator this week, his name is Michel. He is really cool, loves reading the Book of Mormon. We read with him on Wednesday and had a great experience! We read 1 Nephi 4, and encountered the conflict with Nephi and Laban. He had an interesting point of view. He was okay with the fact that Nephi killed Laban, because Laban had tried to kill Nephi after Nephi tried to give him the choice. What he couldn't get over was that Nephi told Zoram he would kill him if he didn't rest with them in the desert. We had a great lesson that was definitley inspired by the spirit! He edified us all, and I was taught that Zoram knew Nephi was a man of God, and that he CHOSE to follow Nephi because so. We also did a lengthy exchange this week with the elders from Avignon. Elder Nicholes (my second companion) is now my district leader. We had conflicts with the trains, so we ended up doing a two day exchange Gap is 3 hours away from everything, and if the trains are delayed it screws up everything. Right now there is construction with the tracks, so they take us by bus to a neighboring city then we get on the train... it takes so long! So we went to Aix en province Thursday for district meeting, I came back with Elder Nicholes. Friday we left Gap and went to Aix, and because there were problems on both sides( our train and Avignons) we just went straight back to Gap for the night. The next day we re-exchanged! I spent 12 hours total on train over the past 3 days, and spent over 100 euros in tickets ha ha. All is well though, no worries :) Satan sent one of his evil spiders to torment us again! Even worse Elder Workman missed when he went to smack with his flip flop. I was screaming like a little girl. He ended up stepping on it, and ended it's life. The conflict was finished ha ha. Makes me a little worried though, where there are two, there are more..... maybe the war has just begun! I love you all, got to go for now!! Ciao Ciao, GROS BISOUS!!! Elder Petersen

Sep 5 2011

Oh ma famille!

I'm still in Gap! No worries on address changes! What a week! Not much happened and a lot happened at the same time ha ha. I'll get to that in a minute. That's too bad that Dash is not feeling good, poor guy. :( I can't wait to play with him, I hope he doesn't bark at me like crazy when he sees me. Dogs are pretty tranquil here, I get to pet a random dog or cat every once and a while, EVERYONE in France has dogs I feel haha. We contact so many people walking their dogs.

That's fun that you are friends with all my companion's moms now ha ha. Tell Elder Workman's mom thanks ha ha. Oh and tell her that Elder Workman could use some letters! Poor guy has received only a couple since he has been here! He isn't too bummed, but I know he would always like a few more, just from a missionary's perspective of things! Also give a shout out to Elder Bowen's parents. I think Elder Bowen is an amazing Elder, and a great friend! I has so much fun with him! He helped me find lots of confidence as well!

That is really sad to hear about Logan. I didn't know him super well, but I remember talking with him at Highschool, and I believe he was in our stake. What is up with all these young men dying while I have been on my mission. How many, 4? I am so thankful for the Plan of Salvation, what hope there is for families.

Speaking of the Plan of Salvation, we had a great lesson with the family Rubino Tuesday. They had some concerns about it, so we taught it again. We emphasized the Spirit World and how the Gospel is taught in the Spirit World. It is amazing after studying the scriptures, and gospel library how much my understanding of the Plan of Salvation has increased. Take a gander at Docterine and Covenants 138, study it well. It opened my eyes big time. Christ organized missionary work in the Spirit World when he preached the the Righteous, it is the means for all the miserable spirits in Prison to find happiness in the accepting the Gospel and ordinances the WE do for them. The plan of Salvation is PERFECT! I see that now. God truly designed this plan to bring all his children happiness, even for those who die in their sins!

In speaking about the spirit world, Elder Packer said during a talk at the MTC, "Preach My Gospel was written on the other side of the veil and printed here" I believe it. Elder Workman told me he was there for that talk, I wasn't :( Preach My Gospel is perfect, you must study this book as scripture! IT IS SCRIPTURE! PURE REVELATION for our day!

Anyways, at the end of our lesson, they understood better the Plan of Salvation, and their concerns were washed away. It was so edifying! We asked Mr. Rubino, the head of the household to pray. I thought it would be like pulling teeth to ask him, but he surprised me. When I asked him, he just shook his head in agreeance, and got on his knees. You have to understand this man has really bad knees as well. His prayer was beautiful, and the spirit testified to us all of the truthfullness of the Plan.

Afterwards, he asked for a blessing for his knees! Elder Workman anointed him, and I gave the blessing, It is such a blessing to magnify my priesthood. The spirit directed me in which I should say, and I know it was the will of my Father in Heaven. Mr. Rubino has wet eyes after the blessing, he heard what he needed to. Later he told us that night he slept in peace, and without pain :)

I know that this is the Lord's work, and his will be done. Magnifying my priesthood means so much more to me now, I never want to be caught off gaurd! I always want to be prepared! Elder Workman gave his first blessing yesterday as well. He blessed a very old member named Robert Chahinian aka the whistler of Gap. He is in a lot of suffering, and for the last 6 weeks, we have been taking him the Sacrament. Elder Workman had already told me we should give him a blessing, so this week we thought we would ask him. It turns out, he was in desperate need. He asked that Elder Workman give the blessing; you should have seen the look on Elder Workman's face ha ha. I enouraged him, and told him to trust in the spirit. It was a beautiful blessing, and I know the Lord literally uses us as tools to bless his children.

Well I have so much other great stuff I want to tell you, but time is up! I'll get down in my journal for later ;) Speaking of which I'm behind ha ha. Anyways, I love you all, and I think of you all the time! Remember to count your blessings and not only keep the faith, but defend it!

I included some photos! One is of some members we found in Marseille on our way to Beziers, and the other is us standing outside the Gare in Marseille. The other is in a train car, I felt like Harry Potter and wanted to cast a spell ha ha! Then the last is us just being gangstas ha ha. Also I will need to buy a new rasor head for my electric rasor, it costs 30 euros. Sorry, my old one is breaking.

Love you all !!

chou chou GROS BISOUS!!!